20 charged in Clifton prostitution crackdown

By Albina Sportelli

EDITOR |

Clifton Journal

CLIFTON – In preparation for the Super Bowl, Clifton police increased efforts to fight prostitution and totaled 20 arrests in the last two months.

The Clifton Tactical Narcotics Squad routinely investigates prostitution and prostitution-related incidents, but due to the increase in the number of people expected to arrive in the area, those efforts were increased.

Local law enforcement officials were briefed a year or so ago about some of the crimes that can spike around the Super Bowl location, said detective Sgt. Robert Bracken of the Clifton Police Department.

As part of the crackdown, detectives focused their attention on prostitution taking place in hotels along the Route 3 corridor. Bracken said most of the arrests were made at the Howard Johnson Hotel on Route 3 west and the LaQuinta Hotel on the other side of the highway, both within a short distance of where the Super Bowl will be held at Met Life Stadium.

"Pimps, johns and prostitutes, some from as far as California, Colorado and Dominican Republic, have been arrested and charged with promoting prostitution," which is a fourth degree crime, Bracken said.

Bracken said prostitution may not have necessarily spiked, but rather the increase in arrests may be due to the extra concentration on the crime by tactical narcotics detectives.

"Prostitution is a regular issue, but greater attention was placed on this in the last couple of months due to the Super Bowl," Bracken said.

Some of the Clifton tactical narcotics detectives have also worked with other law enforcement agencies to get rid of the problem and send out a message "that it's not welcome here in Clifton," Bracken said, adding "this is a quality of life issue and it will be dealt with."

Bracken said many of the individuals charged with promoting prostitution are also charged with possession of controlled dangerous substances.

20 charged in Clifton prostitution crackdown

By Albina Sportelli

EDITOR |

Clifton Journal

CLIFTON – In preparation for the Super Bowl, Clifton police increased efforts to fight prostitution and totaled 20 arrests in the last two months.

The Clifton Tactical Narcotics Squad routinely investigates prostitution and prostitution-related incidents, but due to the increase in the number of people expected to arrive in the area, those efforts were increased.

Local law enforcement officials were briefed a year or so ago about some of the crimes that can spike around the Super Bowl location, said detective Sgt. Robert Bracken of the Clifton Police Department.

As part of the crackdown, detectives focused their attention on prostitution taking place in hotels along the Route 3 corridor. Bracken said most of the arrests were made at the Howard Johnson Hotel on Route 3 west and the LaQuinta Hotel on the other side of the highway, both within a short distance of where the Super Bowl will be held at Met Life Stadium.

"Pimps, johns and prostitutes, some from as far as California, Colorado and Dominican Republic, have been arrested and charged with promoting prostitution," which is a fourth degree crime, Bracken said.

Bracken said prostitution may not have necessarily spiked, but rather the increase in arrests may be due to the extra concentration on the crime by tactical narcotics detectives.

"Prostitution is a regular issue, but greater attention was placed on this in the last couple of months due to the Super Bowl," Bracken said.

Some of the Clifton tactical narcotics detectives have also worked with other law enforcement agencies to get rid of the problem and send out a message "that it's not welcome here in Clifton," Bracken said, adding "this is a quality of life issue and it will be dealt with."

Bracken said many of the individuals charged with promoting prostitution are also charged with possession of controlled dangerous substances.